The aim of the “Mexico Whale Shark Project” is to develop estimates on abundance, to learn about the specie’s distribution, to carry photo identification as well as to monitor the movement of the species in the area. The world’s largest fish is the whale shark and it can grow 20 meters in length. From the month of April until June, the Mexico Whale Shark Project is going to carry out a process to census the population of that species, with support from boats under a campaign labeled, Wanted the giant of the ocean.
They will have the citizen’s support. According to the statement of Deni Ramirez Macias, director of the Mexico Whale Shark Project, Mexico Consciousness and program coordinator for the Protection of Sea Turtles. They mentioned that the project began with the support for the Sea Turtle Protection program from the Department of Ecology, World Wildlife Fund, Cabo Expeditions, and The Network for Sea Turtle Protection as well as business owners.
The dynamics will be to get the support of all captains, diving companies, and fishermen so as to report whale shark sightings and monitor the site, according to the statement made by Graciela Tiburcio. She also said that such reports in line with the goal are going to estimate the species abundance, learn about their distribution, make photo identification, tag the females existing in various sites, and check their movements in the area.
“We’re calling for the help and support from all of the tourism providers, captains, fishermen, and everybody who spots a whale shark, to instantly report it through the maritime radio frequency”, she stated. Also, she highlighted that the whale shark is truly the largest fish in the world as it can grow 20 meters in length and that Mexico is a very privileged country to be visited by these magnificent animals.
Between the Mexican Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, specifically in Isla Holbox, these whale sharks can be found. In the Gulf of California, they usually are discovered in Bahia de Los Angeles, in the Bay of La Paz as well as Gorda Banks just four miles from San Jose del Cabo. Deni Ramirez mentioned that the fact is that this gentle giant of the oceans is under great threat; It is currently protected as Mexico has made great efforts to preserve it.
Each and every year pregnant females go to Los Cabos, which shows the value of these locations for the species. These areas are special across the globe since generally in most areas the whale shark groups are adapted by small-sized sharks, she stated. Moreover, she mentioned that one major challenge is the investigation of the females which is because of the fact that their shoal varies between April and June and covers a wide area requiring a large effort to search.
